Teaching Assistant

Shaw Education Trust; Breadsall; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme (Staff

Teachers Pension

Generous holiday entitlement (37 days,

Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan

Free Eye Tests

Cycle to work scheme

Institute of Education opportunities

Job summary

Shaw Education Trust is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) at St Andrew's Academy across two sites in Derby. You will work under teachers and specialists to tailor learning, promote independence, and provide a safe, engaging classroom environment.

The role offers a range of benefits and the opportunity to grow within a supportive, values-driven Trust that prioritises wellbeing, professional development, and collaborative practice across

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with their learning, development and individual education plans.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support, adapting activities to meet individual needs.
• Supporting pupils with communication, social interaction and emotional development.
• Helping pupils develop confidence, independence and essential life skills.
• Assisting with personal care and mobility where required.
• Creating a safe, positive and stimulating learning environment.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, families and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.

Job description

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people? Do you have the patience, enthusiasm and dedication to help every child reach their full potential? We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and supportive school, working with pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD).

Supporting pupils with a wide range of learning, communication and physical needs. Every day will bring new challenges, opportunities and achievements, however big or small. As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and other professionals to provide tailored support that enables pupils to access learning, develop independence and enjoy a positive school experience.

St Andrew's is a day special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties and ASD aged 11 -19 years. Our special settings cater for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs from children with profound medical needs and life limiting conditions, those with severe, moderate and sensory needs through to young people with social emotional and mental health needs that require support and understanding to help them navigate their world.

Please note, St Andrew's Academy is a school that is based over two sites. During your employment at our school, you may be asked to work at either site, but any moves would be discussed with yourself prior. Our main site is based at St Andrew's View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby, DE21 4EW and most students on site are in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 with a small number of students who are aged 16–19. Our FE (Further Education) Campus is based at 66 Whitaker Road, Derby, DE23 6AR. All students here are aged 16–19 and this site is based close to the city centre.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values – opportunity, integrity, community, and equity – guide everything we do. Our vision is 'Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.' We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives. We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference. You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Make a life‑changing difference in one of our special schools. Our special schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life‑changing places to work. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities to discover their strengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives. Our pupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Every pupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised and celebrated.

By joining one of our special schools, you will become part of a warm, compassionate and highly skilled team, united by a shared belief in what every child and young person can achieve. You will work in a supportive environment where relationships matter, ideas are welcomed and every role makes an important contribution.

Whether you join us as a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional or as part of our administration, facilities or operational teams, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, learn from experienced colleagues and build a rewarding career in special education.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

Benefits

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years' service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust. We know our people are the key to our success and so we're committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one. Colleagues
• Within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust's Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £22,677 - £22,136, Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 35 hours per week - 38 weeks plus 5 inset days (39 in total)

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with their learning, development and individual education plans.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support, adapting activities to meet individual needs.
• Supporting pupils with communication, social interaction and emotional development.
• Helping pupils develop confidence, independence and essential life skills.
• Assisting with personal care and mobility where required.
• Creating a safe, positive and stimulating learning environment.
• Working collaboratively with teachers, families and other professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.